What should you do if you suspect a patient has a soft-tissue injury that also affects a joint?

When suspecting a soft-tissue injury that involves a joint, the priority is to stabilize the joint to prevent further injury. Soft-tissue injuries can lead to swelling, pain, and potentially structural damage, especially if the joint is involved. Stabilizing the joint minimizes movement, which is crucial in avoiding additional trauma and managing pain.

Attempting to realign deformities is not advisable because doing so can exacerbate injuries, potentially causing harm to the surrounding structures, including ligaments, tendons, and even nerves or blood vessels. Therefore, proper immobilization of the joint is essential to allow for healing and to prepare the patient for further evaluation or transport to a medical facility.

Applying ice can be beneficial in managing swelling and pain, but it does not address the immediate need for stabilization. Moving the joint gently to assess mobility could create more damage and increase discomfort, as it may further irritate the injury. Hence, the best practice in this scenario is to stabilize the joint and refrain from attempting any realignment of deformities.